Cosmetic clinics to be registered and inspected

Deborah Punshon

Clinics offering non-surgical cosmetic procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers and laser eye surgery will not have to be registered and inspected.

New legislation will require independent clinics to register with Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) from April 2016, and, from April 2017, they will be inspected and subject to potential recommendations or enforcement action.

The move has been welcomed by the British Association of Cosmetic Nurses (BACN).

Jackie Partridge, who sits on the HIS board as a representative from BACN said: “The BACN fully supports the actions of the Scottish Government and the expert group with regard to developing frameworks and standards in relation to the delivery of non-surgical cosmetic procedures.

“We believe that patient safety should always be the prime concern.

“There are many reputable clinics and practitioners in Scotland but, like any sector or industry, there exists some who do not maintain the highest of standards.

“While it is the case that private clinics who have nurses or doctors are already tightly regulated by their own governing bodies, the new regulation regime will provide people looking for treatments in these clinics with unprecedented levels of confidence and reassurance.”

A spokesperson for Healthcare Improvement Scotland said: “HIS has been regulating independent hospitals – including hospices and private psychiatric hospitals – in Scotland since 2011. New legislation now means HIS will also regulate independent clinics from 1 April 2016.

“The focus of regulation will be on ensuring safe, effective and high quality care for users of independent clinics across Scotland. Where appropriate, regulation and inspection will be used to drive up the standard of care in Scotland to the benefit of patients and the public.”